We know you love our popular Attendee of the Week segment – but we thought it might be fun for you to learn more about us! So, the UBlog staff is telling you all about their favorite SDCC memories, food, and more.
We’ll be kickstarting off our regular Attendee of the Week segments in a few weeks. If you’d like to be featured, simply follow the instructions here, and maybe you’ll be chosen.
Kerry Dixon
Where are you traveling from?
Oklahoma City (yes, really)
How many years have you been with the blog?
The blog has been around since 2009, and I knew about it since maybe 2011 — but I joined in June of 2013. I actually just kept pestering then-Editor-in-Chief Jeremy with e-mails going, “Here’s all the news you missed today”, until he finally just said, “Why don’t you just stop e-mailing me and come write for us?” 14 months later, and I took over the site as Editor-in-Chief.
How many years have you been attending?
2010. I graduated college in May that year, bought a resold badge (because that was still a thing), found a roommate on Livejournal (which was also still a thing) — and the rest, as they say, is history.
What was your favorite panel and why?
There’s been so many amazing panels over the years. If we can count offsites, the first Orphan Black or Tom Hiddleston panels over at Nerd HQ were so full of energy and AMAZING. The only other time I’ve felt a panel really captured that kind of energy was the first SYFY’s The Great Debate panel. But my real answer probably has to be the 2010 Psych panel because it was the reason I attended in the first place, and from the moment Tears for Fears came out and Dule Hill started tap dancing, I just knew this was something truly special, and I wanted to be back here again.
What is your favorite exhibitor or artist booth and why?
Patrick Ballesteros in Artist Alley. You’re all shocked.
What’s your favorite item you’ve ever taken home from the convention (swag, exclusive, merch, etc.)?
I actually don’t buy that much at SDCC — but when I do, it’s basically always art. I’m still completely in love with these prints by Extracurricular Activities, that capture the SDCC experience.
What was your favorite autograph session and why?
Also in 2010, I went to the very first signing for Community. The entire cast except Ken Jeong was there, and there were no tickets or overnight camp-out required to attend. I’m not actually sure I’ve done an autograph signing since, it spoiled me so much.
What is your favorite con snack?
Trail mix.
Tell us about your most memorable celebrity encounter?
I’ve told the Joss Whedon story before, but back in 2012 I was in line for Ballroom 20 for a day that included Community, Breaking Bad, and a little show called Firefly. I finally went to sleep, and shortly after, Joss Whedon starts going down the line. He tries to get the guys near me to take a selfie of me sleeping with him there, but there were so many people gathered around laughing, that I woke up to camera flashes going off, laughter, and Joss Whedon’s face like four inches from mine going, “GUYS YOU RUINED IT, SHE’S AWAKE”.
What is (or was) your favorite offsite and why?
Nerd HQ. Specifically in 2013. I’m really not sure Comic-Con has ever been better. (Also, not a technically offsite, but: KFC statues)
What is your favorite restaurant in downtown San Diego?
I don’t actually have one? I’ve gotten MUCH better about actually eating during the con (for years I was just a tightly wound ball of nerves who never got hungry during the con and subsisted on goldfish and trail mix – now I’m less stressed, but way too busy for a lot of real meals). I guess I wind up at The Old Spaghetti Factory almost every year, so let’s go with that.
What is your favorite Comic-Con memory/moment?
So many. The first year Sarah and I created Prize Mule, and had so much fun coming up with stupid photos to make us laugh, and unknowingly started a legacy that’s grown into what it has today. The year we managed to pull off Enchantment Under the Sea, when the venue looked at our 200 or so boxes and the 4 or so hours before the party and went, “Uh. This isn’t going to happen.” (BUT WE DID IT. GO TEAM). Toby. A thousand inside jokes. Literally having to stop writing a Marvel exclusives post because I caught an actual bird in my office (and STILL getting the post out first!). Team lunches. Shawn and Carmelle airport drives. Dancing all night with the Teen Wolf cast. Nerd HQ dance parties. Taco Bell Demolition Man. Have I mentioned that I love SDCC? Because I love SDCC.
Do you have any advice for a first time attendee?
You will want to do more than you possibly can. Pick what’s most important to you, and also weigh the time commitment against how much you want it. Then either put in the time, or come up with a back-up plan, or better yet – both!
